The world diapers market, amidst changing consumer dynamics, is showing shift in growth patterns. Many newer markets and lucrative opportunities have come up, especially in developing economies. Use of diapers as a sanitary product, which was earlier restricted to the baby segment, has seen a paradigm shift in consumer behavior. There is increasing acceptance of diapers amongst the adults segment too. These demographic trends are driving the growth of this market across all geographic regions. Emphasis by leading diaper manufacturers on product innovation and repositioning has further helped in retaining the growth by providing consumers with more discretion.

Diapers are used across all demographic segments, namely babies and adults, females and males, and patients suffering from certain disorders. Use of diapers as an incontinence and ostomy product, and rising social awareness has helped manufacturers to position their products according to varying needs. These variations in consumer requirements are defined by their age and gender. Estimates project the global diaper market size to increase by almost 50%in the near future. The fastest growth is exhibited by the Asia Pacific region, which would grow at the highest CAGR among all the regions considered.

The global diaper market can be segmented according to different parameters such as age, gender and geographic regions. The further breakdown of cloth and disposable diaper markets, which hold the maximum share, can help in in-depth analysis and gain competitive advantage.

Disposable diapers can be further categorized into:

Ultra-Absorbent Diapers

Super-Absorbent Diapers

Regular Diapers

Biodegradable Diapers

Though, disposable diapers are new to the category, they are one of the fastest growing product types. A major part of their demand is contributed by European and North American markets, showing preference for green products.

Cloth diapers can be sub-divided into the following types:

Flats

Prefold

Fitteds

All-in-Ones

Others

Despite more product variations available under the cloth diapers segment, there is a drop in demand. The reason is largely attributed for consumers’ preference for disposable diapers, which are ergonomic and suiting to their changing requirements.

The adult diaper market, though, still at its initial stage, holds tremendous potential in future. This rise in growth is due to increased adoption of diapers among adults, especially elderly people and those with medical disorders. The product positioning and innovation of diapers for adults has helped manufacturers to reducethe social stigma associated with adults wearing diapers in public. Now, with the development of specially designed diapers for adults andincontinence patients, people are able to wear diapers while carrying out mundane activities and are not confined to their homes.

Among all the geographic markets, the growth in the Latin American adult diaper market is the fastest, showing a double digit CAGR, the best of all the regions. However, despite the fast growthofthe adult diaper segment, the baby diaper market is projected to still hold the largest share in the region.

The global diaper market is currently dominated by a few global players. However, they too are facing stiff competition from niche players, who enjoy deeper market penetration and competitive cost-price benefits. Some of the global players whose business strategies are driving market changes include:Kimberley Clark, P&G, Unicharm, Hengan, SCA Hygiene, and Kao Corporation.

Until a few decades ago, diapers were associated solely with babies. But that scenario has long changed. Today, diapers are also targeted toward adults in hospitals, institutional healthcare, and home healthcare. Diaper manufacturers have launched products designed to help adults with issues such as urinary incontinence. With this, the global diaper market has witnessed a spike in sales. Briefly stated, changing consumer behavior and user demographics have been the engine of growth for the global diaper market. Thanks to these factors, the global diaper market will grow nearly 50% over its current size, say market experts.

The diaper market report studies this very paradigm shift to emerge with crucial information such as industry drivers, market trends, industry analysis, competitive dynamics, and market structure. The report projects factors that will heavily influence the course of growth (or decline) of the diaper market and its sub-markets.

The report segregates the global diaper market on the basis of type, gender, age, and geography, and branches these further according to their sub-segments. A comprehensive analysis of the global diaper market is enabled by the use of industry-recognized databases and research tools such as Porter’s five forces analysis, underpinned by sound primary and secondary research.

Overview

According to the findings of the report, the global diaper market is poised to be worth US$63.2 billion by 2017. There are a myriad of demographic as well as consumer-behavior-related factors actively at play in the diaper market – these create a fertile ground for the growth of the market.

The report notes that the expansion of the global diapers market is hinged on falling infant mortality rates, working mothers seeking convenience, and a notable rise in the geriatric population. While the advent and adoption of adult diapers has caused the market dynamics to shift, this has in no way challenged the supreme position held by baby diapers worldwide.

The baby diapers segment within the diapers market can be further sub-segmented into: disposable diapers, cloth diapers, swim pants, and training nappies. As of 2010, disposable diapers were the premier segment and will continue to stay firmly at the forefront of growth over the report’s forecast period. Biodegradable disposable diapers are emerging as a strong contender in the diapers market, as both consumers and environmental regulatory agencies are in favor of them. Disposable diapers of other varieties-super-absorbent, ultra-absorbent, and regular disposable diapers-will also see reasonable growth.

The report studies both baby diapers and adult diapers markets. While the former has an undisputedly large share in the global diapers market, the latter is inching toward becoming a massive market in itself. The rise of the adult diapers segment can be ascribed to the product’s use in healthcare facilities and by geriatric individuals suffering from incontinence and or those confined to the bed due to health issues. Latin America constituted the largest market for adult diapers in the world and will likely remain the leader through the report’s forecast period.

The report also analyzes and forecasts other regional markets such as North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World. Europe leads the pack with a share of more than one third of the global diapers market. A fifth of the market is held by North America, where the penetration of diapers is close to 100%, creating a roadblock for any evident growth. Western Europe suffers the same problem.

Companies mentioned in the global baby diapers market

The report on the global diapers market analyzes the financial performance, product portfolio, business developments and growth strategies of the following companies: Hengan, Kimberly and Clark, Procter & Gamble, and Kao Corporation.